I'm buying new curtains & I don't understand the whole width thing - help!!

[TheEarthIsFlat]

I'm totally confused on what I need to buy - seem to remember some rule about 1.5 or 2 times the width?

The space the curtains will cover is about 2.5 metres wide and the curtains come in 135cm width. So do I buy 2 or 4? 4 sounds right as it means there will be more material & they'll hang nicely/give more insulation. I know I should phone up & ask (it's a catalogue) but don't want to sound a dimwit about something that may be obvious to everyone but me.

Thank you!

I was just about to post this exact question! How weird is that?

Will watch with interest

TartanPussyCat, I'm amazed at how often that happens to me with Mumsnet. In my more delusional moments sometimes wonder if my life is the Truman Show & the film was a bit hint with millions of viewers going 'What, she still doesn't get it'. Then I start thinking about curtains & life becomes normal again.

lol!

Sorry I'm not going to be able to help but empathise completely.

When I read your thread title it takes me back to everytime I need curtains and I ask my Mums advice (she has made curtains professionally in the past).

Despite me having a degree I still can't get my head around it -she talks about widths, lengths etc as if they are units (eg. "You need 2 widths/ 3 lengths" etc) and it baffles me.

I beg her to explain it in simple terms that I understand but its like a secret code that the Masons use or something.

I have quite often made curtains, you always get enough to do at least 1.5 x width of window. Double is nicer to look at when they are hanging.
In your case, if the space is 2.5m and the curtains 1.35m each, then buying two will only give 2.7m which is only practically 1 x width of window/space.
You need the extra width because, if you only get 1 x width, then when the curtains are closed you'd just sort of have a flat piece of fabric hanging there.
So in your case I'd get 4.

(I am not in the masons )

Ideally twice the width. Remember if you want to pull the curtains right back off the window, that you need a big pole too!

Lol EarthIsFlat!

Confuses the hell out of me too Glad I'm not alone!

flibbertyjibbet -I bet you are (or the curtain equivalent at least as you "talk the talk").

OK. If I'm making up heavy fabric into curtains, I allow 1.5x width required. If I am making up a lighter weight of fabric I would use 2x width.

You have a 2.5 window opening. So you want two curtains, each, when gathered at the top, will be 1.25m wide. That means that, if you want a heavy weight fabric, you should be aiming for 1.25 x 1.5 = 1.88m, or if lighter weight 1.25 x 2 = 2.5m.

The curtain fabric comes in 1.35 widths.

If its heavy, 2x would be 2.7 which is rather a lot over the 1.88 calculated above - but 1.5 x 1.35 = 2.02 - so if I was making this up, each curtain would have 1.5 widths (so 3 for the whole window) made up with the 1/2 widths at the sides, and the two full widths in the centre (this is if the pattern would take being cut in half - some wouldn't without looking strage). However, if its light weight, 2 x 1.35 = 2.7 which isn't that much above the 2.5 calculated above - so you'd have 4 widths for the window...

Does that make sense?

(forgot to add - you don't want as much heavy weight material in a curtain as you do light weight as it won't gather so well at the top)

See....another one that talks code.

Norbert!

What don't you understand?

here

bella! long-time, no see

I just don't understand all this talk of widths and lengths. I don't have a problem with sewing -in fact I rustled up this little outfit only recently

Do you like it?

Wow thats a bit scientific even for me

Mistlethrush you forgot to factor in the lining in all your calculations. If its thicker thermal lining or just something light so the neighbours don't see the seams on your curtains...

You need two curtains, each of two widths. If you don't want the bulk, two curtains of 1.5 widths each would be ok. If the curtains you are interested in only come in single widths, they won't be suitable. Don't forget to allow at least 10cm on each side of the window - your pole or track will then be 2.7 metres (at least).

Lookin' good, Norbert

Isn't it cold?

Thanks Flibbertyjibbet & mistlethrush, after I went 'uh?' a couple of times that makes perfect sense. The curtains are quite light so will go for two times the width.

We're also getting some curtain poles for a bay window & the chap in the shop recommended attaching the poles to the ceiling so they hang better, which I'm trying to get my head round.

Love the fact that lots of us still rush to our mums with this kind of question. Wonder what our children will do?

TEIF My son will be taught how to use the sewing machine . And, yes, I will also have to teach him how to put up curtain poles as dh is useless on the DIY front.

Glad it made sense.